Ontario Autism Program (OAP)

In partnership with Kerry’s Place Autism Services (KPAS), Sunbeam Developmental Resource Centre (SDRC) provides OAP interventions and supports to children 9 through 17 years of age, from the Region of Waterloo.

What is the Ontario Autism Program (OAP)?

For full details of the Ontario Autism Program, please visit the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS) website by clicking here.

Applied Behaviour Analysis

Using an Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA)-based approach, services and supports will focus on addressing the needs that children and youth with an autism spectrum disorder have in the following key developmental areas:

  • Challenging Behaviour
  • Cognitive  Functions
  • Communication
  • Motor
  • Personal Responsibility/Adaptive
  • Play and Leisure
  • School Readiness
  • Self Regulation
  • Social/Interpersonal
  • Vocational

Parents/caregivers will work together with consultants to develop a goal and implement behaviour support plans with the result being that they can use that skill once service ends.

Eligibility

Children and youth of age 0-17 (up to 18th birthday) are eligible for services if they have confirmation of an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnosis from a qualified professional.  Diagnoses may be made by family physicians, pediatricians, psychiatrists, psychologists and psychological associates.

Referrals

ABA Services through SDRC are provided for children and youth aged 9 – 17 years.  The Ontario Autism Program (OAP) is currently working towards developing a new needs-based and sustainable autism program.

Families who require information about the OAP should:

  1. Visit the OAP website.
  2. Contact the Central Intake and Registration Team at 1-888-444-4530.

Foundational Family Services

As announced by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS) on August 4, 2020, the Ontario Autism Program (OAP) now offers Foundational Family Services.  The purpose of this program is to build a family’s capacity to support their child with Autism to learn and develop.  Sunbeam Developmental Resource Centre (SDRC) now offers these Foundational Family Services as part of their OAP program. For more information, please visit the MCCSS’s website.

Through the OAP, these services are to be offered in a variety of ways including:

  • Family and peer mentoring
  • Caregiver workshops and coaching sessions
  • Brief targeted consultations
  • Transition supports
  • Family resource and clinic days

To register your child for SDRC’s Foundational Family Services:

  • If you are currently receiving services from us, please call 519-741-1121 and ask to speak with your worker (e.g., Service Coordinator, Resource Support Worker, Coordinated Service Planner, Social Worker, Behaviour Consultant, Speech Consultant).
  • If you are not connected to our agency, please call 519-741-1121 and ask to speak with intake.

Fee for Service

In accordance with funding changes brought forward by the Ontario Government, SDRC (a division of Sunbeam Community & Developmental Services) created Brightside ABA Services. Brightside provides fee-for-service ABA services that focus on skill development and a variety of behavioural goals. Brightside provides services to individuals with diagnoses such as ASD, ADHD, FASD, and developmental disability.  For more information about Brightside, please visit our website at https://brightsideabaservices.com/about